Call waiting priority alert`

ABSTRACT

A method for delivering a priority call waiting alert service to a telephone subscriber. An embodiment of the present invention may be implemented on an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN). When a call intended the subscriber is received by a service switching point from a calling party while the telephone line is already engaged in a first communication between the subscriber and a third party, the calling party is solicited to supply a priority code. If the priority code is recognized by a service control point, a call waiting tone or a priority alert signal associated with the priority code is played to alert the subscriber that a priority call has been received.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to telecommunications, and moreparticularly, to a system and method for providing a call waitingpriority alert service to telephone line subscribers.

2. Background of the Invention

Using the telephone to communicate has become an important aspect of ourlives. As a result, almost every family in an industrialized nation hasa telephone line. On a daily basis, a typical family may receive a largenumber of telephone calls. The number of incoming calls could be evenlarger if the family has become a target customer of a telemarketingcampaign. A telephone user may find it annoying to have answered a callnot intended for him or her, especially when the call is from an unknownperson such as a telemarketing representative.

The annoyance of answering calls from unknown calling parties could beaggravated in a call waiting situation. For example, a telephone servicesubscriber could be extremely annoyed when he must temporarily put afirst call on hold to answer a second call, only to find out the secondcall is from a telemarketing company or other unknown caller.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method that would alert asubscriber (who is already engaged in a first communication session witha third party) of an incoming call from a calling party, but only if thecalling party is one from whom the subscriber would not mindentertaining. A call from an unknown or undesirable calling party wouldnot invoke the call waiting feature of the subscriber's telephone line.Alternatively, a call from the unknown calling party would be associatedwith a regular call waiting tone, but a call from the priority callerwould be associated with a priority alert signal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system and method that can determine whetheran incoming call for a subscriber is a priority call. One method forimplementing the present invention involves the use of a priority code.The subscriber can associate at least one priority code with his or hertelephone number (the subscriber number). If two or more priority codesare used, then the priority codes can be associated with multiplepriority levels.

In one embodiment, when an incoming call from a calling party isdetected while the subscriber's telephone line has already been engagedin a communication session between the subscriber and a third party, thecalling party will be asked by the system of the present invention tosupply a priority code. If the system recognizes the priority code, thesubscriber will hear a priority alert signal associated with thepriority code. The subscriber can then decide whether to suspend theongoing session with the third party to answer the incoming call. If thecalling party fails to supply a priority code or if the priority codesupplied by the calling party is not recognized by the system, thesubscriber will hear a regular call waiting tone, indicating theincoming call is not a priority call. In other preferred embodiments,the system can be adapted to ignore all non-priority calls, meaning thesubscriber will not hear any tone unless the calling party supplies apriority code that is recognizable by the system.

The present invention can be implemented in any suitable telephonesystems or networks. For example, the invention may be adapted for anAdvanced Intelligent Network (AIN). In an AIN, a preferred embodiment ofthe system of the present invention comprises a service switching point(SSP) and a service control point (SCP). The SSP is connected to thetelephone line of the subscriber. In an exemplary embodiment, the SSPmay be provisioned with a trigger. The trigger can detect a condition atthe SSP to cause the SSP to generate a query to the SCP. The SCP thenuses information contained in the query to review a subscriber list thatis associated with the subscriber number. The subscriber list may beretrieved by the SCP from a database.

The subscriber list contains information related to one or more prioritycodes. Each of the priority codes is associated with a priority alertsignal. The priority alert signal may be a tone or an earcon (musicalsound). In addition, the priority alert signal may be a spoken alert,e.g., the priority alert signal could be a recorded speech segmentcomprising “a priority call is waiting.”

In a preferred embodiment, the subscriber list can be modified by thesubscriber at any time. For example, the subscriber may add, delete, orotherwise edit the information on the subscriber list via a computernetwork. In an exemplary embodiment, the subscriber can edit thesubscriber list via the Internet.

A method for using the present invention on the AIN to implement a callwaiting priority alert service may comprise the following steps. First,a subscriber list associated with a subscriber number is created. Thesubscriber list may contain one or more priority codes, each associatedwith one priority alert signal. Second, the subscriber list may bestored in a database that is accessible by the SCP.

Third, one or more triggers may be provisioned at the SSP that servesthe telephone line of the subscriber. A termination attempt trigger or aterminating busy/no answer trigger may be used to detect incoming callsintended for the subscriber.

Fourth, when a call is received at the SSP, i.e., a caller or a callingparty has dialed the telephone number of the subscriber (the subscribernumber), the call is detected by a trigger. As a result, the SSPlaunches a query to the SCP. The query may comprise, among otherinformation, the subscriber number (which is the telephone number of thesubscriber, i.e., the telephone number of the called party).

Fifth, the SCP then uses the subscriber number to retrieve thesubscriber list. Sixth, using the subscriber number, the SCP recognizesthat the subscriber has a subscription to the service of the presentinvention. Sixth, the SCP sends an instruction to the SSP to solicit apriority code from the calling part. Seventh, when the calling partiessupplies the priority code, by using the keypad or by speaking, thepriority code is forwarded to the SCP. Eighth, the SCP determineswhether the priority code received is on the subscriber list. If thepriority code is recognizable, i.e., it is on the subscriber list, theSCP instructs the SSP to play a priority alert signal associated withthe priority code. However, if the priority code is unrecognizable,i.e., it is not on the subscriber list, the SCP instructs the SSP toexecute a default action. The default action may be, for example, toplay a regular call waiting tone or to play no tone at all.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the system architecture of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the system architecture of a firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention implemented in an AdvancedIntelligent Network (AIN).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using the firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention involving one prioritylevel.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the system architecture of asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention involving multiplepriority levels.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using thesecond preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the system architecture of anembodiment of the present invention. Subscriber 110 is a customer oftelephone network 100. Telephone network 100 may be a wireless networkor a wireline network. Telephone network 100 provides telephone servicesto subscriber 110's telephone line 114. If telephone network 100 is awireless network, then telephone line 114 would be a wireless connectionto subscriber 110's telephone equipment 112. Equipment 112, 122, and132, although depicted as telephones, may also be other wireline orwireless devices such as interactive pagers, computers, personal digitalassistants or any other apparatus that can communicate with telephonenetwork 100. A first communication session between subscriber 110 andthird party 120 may be established, for example, via telephone lines 114and 124. Similarly, calling party 130 can communicate with subscriber110, for example, through telephone lines 184 and 114.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps for using anembodiment of the present invention. In step 202, a relationship betweena priority code and the telephone number associated with telephone line114 of subscriber 110 is created. The telephone number of subscriber 110may be hereinafter referred to as the subscriber number. The prioritycode can be a number or a series of numbers. For example, the prioritycode may be “4444.”

In step 204, the relationship between the subscriber number and thepriority code may be stored in a subscriber list. The subscriber listcan be placed in database 102, shown in FIG. 1. Database 102 can beplaced anywhere as long as it is accessible by telephone network 100.For example, database 102 can be maintained within telephone network 100at a facility associated with telephone network 100. Alternatively,database 102 can be stored in a computer connected to telephone network100.

For example, assume that subscriber 110 is already engaged in a firstcommunication session with third party 120 when calling party 130 dialsthe subscriber number. In step 206, the incoming call from calling party120 is received by telephone network 100. In step 208, telephone network100 maintains the communication session between subscriber 110 and thirdparty 120. In step 210, while subscriber 110 continues his or hercommunication session with third party 120 uninterrupted, telephonenetwork 100 asks calling party 130 to enter a priority code. Callingparty 130 may or may not respond with a priority code.

In step 212, if calling party 130 fails to supply a priority code, orprovides a priority code that is not recognized by telephone network100, the process goes to step 214. Otherwise, if calling party 130supplies a recognizable priority code, that is, the priority codesupplied by calling party 130 appears on the subscriber list, theprocess goes to step 216.

In step 214, telephone network 100 can execute a default action. Onedefault action is to interrupt the communication session betweensubscriber 110 and third party 130 with a regular call waiting tone,alerting subscriber 110 that a non-priority calling party is waiting.Another default action is to leave the communication sessionuninterrupted, and play a busy signal for calling party 130 or directthe caller to the subscriber's voicemail. A third default action is toplay an announcement informing calling party 130 that unless arecognizable priority code is received, subscriber 110 will not bealerted of the call from calling party 130.

In step 216, when calling party 130 has supplied a recognizable prioritycode, telephone network 100 interrupts the communication session betweensubscriber 110 and third party 120 with a priority alert signal. In oneembodiment, as described above, the priority alert signal is differentfrom a regular call waiting tone so that subscriber 110 can know that apriority call is waiting. For example, the priority alert signal may bea tone or an earcon (musical sound). In addition, the priority alertsignal may be a spoken alert, e.g., the priority alert signal could be arecorded speech segment comprising “a priority call is waiting.”

In another embodiment, in which the response to an unrecognized prioritycode is to leave the call uninterrupted, the regular call waiting tonemay be used. In preferred embodiments, the present invention can beadapted to have a plurality of priority alert signals that areassociated with a plurality of priority codes. Each priority alertsignal represents a different level of priority or urgency to subscriber110 or may be used to identify the third party caller.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the system architecture of a firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention implemented in an AIN. TheAIN is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,701,301, and 5,838,774, which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Telephone network 300 is an AN. Subscriber 310 is a customer or servicesubscriber of the present invention. Telephone network 300 may be theservice provider of the present invention. Subscriber 310 has customerpremises equipment (CPE) 312. CPE 312 may be a telephone set or acomputer or another communication device. Subscriber 310 may use CPE 312to effect communication sessions through telephone line 314. Thetelephone number associated with telephone line 314 may be hereinafterreferred to as the subscriber number. Telephone line 314 is connected toservice switching point (SSP) 316, which is part of telephone network300.

One or more triggers associated with telephone line 314 may beprovisioned on SSP 316. For example, trigger 318 may be a terminatingbusy/no answer trigger. Third party 320 is associated with telephoneline 324 and CPE 322. Subscriber 310 and third party 320 may engage in acommunication session through SSP 316 and SSP 326. For purposes ofillustration, SSP 326 is shown as being outside telephone network 300.However, SSP 326 may be an SSP on telephone network 300, and may even beSSP 318.

Trigger 318 can detect incoming calls intended for subscriber 310. Forexample, when calling party 330 uses CPE 332 on telephone line 334 todial the subscriber number, trigger 318 can detect the call. Althoughcalling party 330 is shown to be connected to SSP 336, it is understoodthat in some circumstances caller 330 could be directly connected to SSP316.

The detection of an incoming call by trigger 318 causes SSP 316 tolaunch a query. For example, the query launched by SSP 316 may be sentto service control point (SCP) 340 over the AIMs signaling network 350.In a preferred embodiment signaling network 350 uses common channelsignaling system SS7. The query includes the subscriber number in theCalled_Party_ID field of the query, and a calling number in theCalling_Party_ID field. The calling number is the telephone number ofcalling party 330, i.e., the telephone number associated with telephoneline 334.

SCP 340 then uses the subscriber number to access a subscriber listassociated with subscriber 310. The subscriber list may be stored indatabase 342. The subscriber list may comprise one or more prioritycodes that are associated with subscriber 310's subscriber number.

Using the subscriber number, SCP 340 can retrieve one or more callprocessing instructions from database 342. The call processinginstructions can be one of several instructions from SCP 340 to SSP 316regarding how the call from calling party 330 should be handled. Theinstructions can be provided by SCP 340 to SSP 316 in the form of aresponse to the query.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using the firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention. With a subscription to aservice of the present invention, subscriber 310 who is engaged in afirst communication session with third party 320 can be alerted when anincoming call from calling party 330 is received, provided that callingparty 330 supplies a recognizable priority code. In other words,subscriber 310 will not be alerted if calling party 330 does not providea recognizable priority code. In that case, calling party 330 may hear abusy tone or announcement that subscriber 310 is not available to takethe call.

A method for implementing the first preferred embodiment may comprisethe following steps. In step 402, at least one priority code isassociated with the subscriber number. For illustration purposes, thesubscriber number is “123-456-7890.”

The priority code may be any number that subscriber 310 so designates toimplement the present invention. The priority code can have any numberof digits. Preferably, the priority code has two to six digits. Forexample, subscriber 310 may designate “8888” as a priority code. Thepriority code must be provided by subscriber 310 to potential callingparties from whom subscriber 310 wishes to have priority call waitingtreatment.

In step 404, the priority code and the subscriber number are stored in adatabase. The database is preferably accessible to SCP 340. For example,database 342 may be used to store the priority code and the subscribernumber. In addition to the priority code, the database includesinformation regarding the priority alert signal associated with thepriority code. In this embodiment, the priority alert signal is theregular call waiting tone. Preferably, the relationship between thepriority code, the subscriber number, and the priority alert signal canbe stored in a subscriber list or a table, such as, for example, Table 1below.

TABLE 1 Recognizable Priority Subscriber Number Priority Code AlertSignal 123-456-7890 8888 Regular call waiting tone

In step 406, when an incoming call from calling party 330 arrives at SSP316 while subscriber 310 is already engaged in a communication sessionwith third party 320, the call is detected by trigger 318. Trigger 318may be a terminating busy/no answer trigger. In step 408, SSP 316launches a query to SCP 340. The query may be, for example, aTerminating Busy/No Answer query.

In step 410, while the communication session between subscriber 310 andthird party 320 remains uninterrupted, SCP 340 sends a first instructionto SSP 316 to solicit a priority code from calling party 330. Thesolicitation may be in the form of an announcement. For example, theannouncement may comprise, “The party you wish to reach is on the phone,please enter a priority code if you wish to alert the party about thiscall.”

In step 412, assuming calling party 330 keys in or says a priority code,SCP 340 determines whether the priority code provided by calling party330 is a recognizable priority code. For example, SCP 340 may accessdatabase 342 to review Table 1. If the priority code provided by callingparty 330 is “8888”, the process goes to step 418; otherwise, theprocess goes to step 414.

In step 414, SCP 340 sends a default response to SSP 316. The defaultresponse may any suitable action supported by the AIN. For example, thedefault response may comprise an instruction to play an announcement tocalling party 330. In step 416, SSP 316 executes a default actionassociated with the default response. For example, SSP 316 may play thefollowing announcement, “You have not provided a recognizable prioritycode. Good Bye.” In preferred embodiments, calling party 330 may beprovided with more than one opportunity to supply a recognizablepriority code.

In step 418, if the priority code supplied by calling party 330 isrecognizable by SCP 340, i.e., it appears on Table 1, SCP 340 sends SSP316 a priority response. The priority response may be anAuthorize_Termination message, including special codes in theControllingLegTreatment field. For example, if ControllingLegTreatmentfield contains a regular call waiting tone indication, SSP 316 plays theregular call waiting tone to alert subscriber 310 that a call iswaiting.

Depending on what subscriber 310 chooses to do in step 420, the processcan go to either step 422 or step 426. For example, if subscriber 310presses a key that is designated, such as a “flash” key, to answer thecall the process goes to step 422. In step 422, the first communicationsession between subscriber 310 and third party 320 is suspended by SSP316 using known call waiting technologies. In step 424, a secondcommunication session is establish between calling party 330 andsubscriber 310.

If in step 420 subscriber 310 chooses to ignore the call waiting, anannouncement may be played by SSP 316 after a predetermined period oftime or a number of rings. For example, if subscriber 310 does not pickup the call after five rings, an announcement may be played, forexample, “The party you wish to reach is unavailable. Please try againlater.”

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the system architecture of asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention involving multiplepriority levels. In this embodiment, second calling party 530 has CPE532 that can be used to dial the subscriber number using telephone line534. Each of first calling party 330 and second calling party 530 may begiven one or more priority codes. Each of the priority codes isassociated with a priority alert signal, which is played in lieu of aregular call waiting tone to alert subscriber 310 that a priority callhas been received. In one specific example, first calling party 330 maybe given a first priority code, and second calling party 530 may begiven a second priority code. In this manner, subscriber 310 who isfamiliar with the priority alert signals associated with the first andsecond priority codes will know which calling party is waiting. Inanother specific example, each of first calling party 330 and secondcalling party 530 is provided with both first and second priority codes,but they are advised to use the first priority code in one situation andthe second priority code in a different situation. The various uses ofthe priority codes are explained further below.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating steps that may be executedto implement the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.In step 602, a plurality of priority codes are associated with thesubscriber number. In step 604, the priority codes are assigned prioritylevels and priority alert signals, as shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Call Waiting Alert Levels for Subscriber Number 123-456-7890Recognizable Priority Alert Priority Codes Priority Level Signal 1111Low A 2222 Medium B 3333 High C

As shown in Table 2, subscriber 310 can provide potential callingparties with one or more of the three priority codes. In one instance,subscriber 310 can provide first calling party 330 with only the firstpriority code “1111,” second calling party 530 with only the secondpriority code “2222,” and all other priority calling parties with onlythe third priority code “3333.” In this manner, as each of the threepriority codes is associated with a priority alert signal, subscriber110 would know that first calling party 330 is trying to reach him whenhe hears Priority Alert Signal A. Similarly, if Priority Alert Signal Bis heard, subscriber 310 knows that it is second calling party 530 whois trying to reach him. In a specific example, Priority Alert Signals A,B, and C may comprise one, two, and three beeps, respectively. It isknown in the art that distinctive ringing patterns are resident inswitching software, including that provided by Lucent Technologies,Nortel Networks, and other manufacturers of telecommunication equipment.

Subscriber 310 can also provide all potential calling parties with allthree priority codes. In this manner, subscriber 310 can inform his orher potential calling parties to use different priority codes fordifferent level of priority or urgency. For example, subscriber 310 canrequest them to use “1111” for ordinary calls, “2222” for a call with amore urgent nature, and “3333” only in exceptional circumstances.

In step 606, the priority codes and associated levels of priority alertsignals can be stored in a database. For example, Table 2 can be storedin database 342.

In step 608, when trigger 318 detects an incoming call from a callingparty while telephone line 314 is already engaged in a firstcommunication session between subscriber 310 and third party 320. Instep 610, SSP 316 launches a query to SCP 340. For example, the querymay be a Termination Busy/No Answer query. The query may contain, amongother information, the subscriber number in the Called_Party_ID field.

In step 612, SCP 340 consults database 342. Using the information in theCalled_Party_ID field of the query, SCP 340 may access subscriberinformation for subscriber 310. For example, using “123-456-7890,” SCP340 can retrieve Table 2 shown above.

In step 614, SCP 340 instructs SSP 316 to solicit a priority code fromthe calling party. In step 616, if the calling party does not provide arecognizable priority code, i.e., none of the “1111,” “2222,” and“3333,” has been provided, the process goes to step 618. In step 618,SCP 340 sends a default response to SSP 316. The default response may beto play an announcement for the calling party in step 620.Alternatively, the default response may be to provide subscriber 310with a regular call waiting tone in step 620.

However, if in step 616 a recognizable priority code was provided by thecalling party, SCP 340 sends SSP 316 a priority response in step 622.The priority response may comprise, for example, an appropriate priorityalert signal that is associated with the priority code supplied by thecalling party. For example, if the calling party had supplied “1111” asthe priority code, then Priority Alert Signal A would be indicated inthe response. The priority alert signal may be indicated, for example,in a ControllingLegTreatment field of the priority response.

In step 624, SSP 316 plays for subscriber 310 an appropriate priorityalert signal in accordance with the indicator appearing in theControllingLegTreatment field of the response from SCP 340. Subscriber310 can decide, based on the type of priority alert signal playedwhether to answer the call. If subscriber 310 decides to answer the callby pressing an appropriate key, e.g., the “flash” key, the process goesto step 626. Otherwise, the process goes to step 630, in which anannouncement may be played by SSP 316 to the calling party thatsubscriber 310 is unavailable or other default handling is provided.Alternatively, the call may be directed, for example, to an alternatedestination such as the subscriber's voicemail.

In step 626, SSP 316 suspends the first communication session betweensubscriber 310 and third party 320. SSP 316 then establishes a secondcommunication session between subscriber 310 and the calling party instep 628.

The present invention has numerous embodiments and applications. Each ofthe embodiments comprises one or more of the steps described above, andother steps known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The steps may beimplemented in any logical order, i.e., the order is not limited to theorder in which the steps are described above.

The foregoing disclosure of embodiments of the present invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodimentsdescribed herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art inlight of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to bedefined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.

1. A method for providing a call waiting priority alert service to asubscriber of a telephone line, the method comprising the steps of:associating at least one priority code with a telephone number of thetelephone line; receiving a call from a calling party while thetelephone line is engaged in a first communication session between thesubscriber and a third party; soliciting from the calling party apriority code; determining whether the priority code matches the atleast one priority code; playing a priority alert signal associated withthe priority code to interfere with the first communication session; andestablishing a second communication session between the calling partyand the subscriber if the subscriber chooses to suspend the firstcommunication session.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the prioritycode is unique to the calling party.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe priority code is provided by the subscriber to the calling party andother priority callers.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the priorityalert signal is a regular call waiting tone.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising the step of playing an announcement for the callingparty if the calling party does not provide any priority code.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising the step of playing anannouncement for the calling party if the priority code provided by thecalling party does not match the at least one priority code.
 7. A methodfor providing a priority call waiting services to a subscriber of atelephone line, the method comprising the steps of: associating thetelephone line with a plurality of priority codes; assigning a priorityalert signal to each of the plurality of priority codes; receiving acall from a calling party while the telephone line is engaged in a firstcommunication session between the subscriber and a third party;soliciting from the calling party a priority code; determining whetherthe priority code matches any of the plurality of priority codes;playing a priority alert signal assigned to the priority code if thepriority code matches one of the plurality of priority codes; andestablishing a second communication session between the calling partyand the subscriber if the subscriber chooses to suspend the firstcommunication session.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein each of theplurality of priority codes is associated with a priority level.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the calling party is provided by thesubscriber with more than one of the plurality of priority codes. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein each of the more than one of theplurality of priority codes represents a different priority level.
 11. Asystem for providing a priority call waiting alert service to asubscriber of a telephone line, the system comprising: a serviceswitching point in communication with the telephone line, wherein theservice switching point is adapted to detect incoming calls intended forthe subscriber when the subscriber is already engaged in a firstcommunication session with a third party, and a service control point incommunication with the service switching point, wherein the servicecontrol point is adapted to review information associated with thesubscriber, wherein when the service switching point detects an incomingcall intended for the subscriber from a calling party while thesubscriber is already engaged in the first communication session withthe third party, the service switching point launches a query comprisinga subscriber number of the subscriber, wherein when the service controlpoint receives the query, the service control point instructs theservice switching point to solicit a priority code from the callingparty without interfering with the first communication session, whereinthe service control point instructs the service switching pointinterrupts the first communication session with a priority alert signalif the priority code supplied by the calling party is recognized by theservice control point, wherein the service switching point then suspendsthe first communication session, and establishes a second communicationsession between the calling party and the subscriber if the subscriberchooses to suspend the first communication session.
 12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the service switching point is provisioned with atrigger.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the trigger is aterminating busy/no answer trigger.
 14. The system of claim 11, whereinthe priority alert signal is a regular call waiting tone.
 15. A methodfor providing a call waiting priority alert service to a subscriber of atelephone line, the method comprising the steps of: associating at leastone priority code with a telephone number of the telephone line in adatabase accessible to a service control point; receiving at a serviceswitching point a call from a calling party while the telephone line isengaged in a first communication session between the subscriber and athird party; soliciting from the calling party a priority code;determining whether the priority code matches the at least one prioritycode; playing a priority alert signal associated with the priority codeto interfere with the first communication session; and establishing asecond communication session between the calling party and thesubscriber if the subscriber chooses to suspend the first communicationsession.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the service switching pointcomprises a trigger that is associated with the telephone line.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the trigger is one of a termination attempttrigger and a terminating busy/no answer trigger.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the priority code is unique to the calling party. 19.The method of claim 15, wherein the priority code is one of severalpriority codes available to the calling party and wherein each of theseveral priority codes represent a different priority level.
 20. Amethod for providing a priority call waiting services to a subscriber ofa telephone line, the method comprising the steps of: associating thetelephone line with a plurality of priority codes; assigning a priorityalert signal to each of the plurality of priority codes; receiving acall at a service switching point from a calling party while thetelephone line is engaged in a first communication session between thesubscriber and a third party; soliciting from the calling party apriority code; determining whether the priority code matches any of theplurality of priority codes; playing a priority alert signal assigned tothe priority code if the priority code matches one of the plurality ofpriority codes; and establishing a second communication session betweenthe calling party and the subscriber if the subscriber chooses tosuspend the first communication session.
 21. The method of claim 20,wherein each of the plurality of priority codes is associated with apriority level.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the calling party isprovided by the subscriber with more than one of the plurality ofpriority codes.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein each of the morethan one of the plurality of priority codes represents a differentpriority level.